Dental Night Guards Portland, ORIf you continually experience jaw pain and chronic headaches, and over the counter pain relievers don't really seem to do anything for you, you might be suffering from a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism frequently occurs at night, when you have no control over it. As a result, your oral health can really take a hit. At Downtown Dental Care in Portland, Oregon, your oral health and wellbeing are important. For this reason, we offer night guards to help prevent the severe issues associated with bruxism. What is Bruxism?Bruxism is a term that means that you grind and clench your teeth. While this can happen during the day, you are usually aware of it and can put an end to it. However, bruxism is more common at night, and you don't have that same control. As a result, you continue to put unnecessary pressure on your teeth while you sleep. Bruxism can lead to many oral health issues, some which you notice right away, and others that occur over time:
What Causes Bruxism?Bruxism is commonly attributed to stress. When you are stressed, your muscles tense up, including the ones in your face and jaw. Even while you sleep, stress and anxiety can affect you, tensing these muscles and forcing pressure on your teeth. Bruxism can also be caused by:
Night Guards Can Help![]() NTI Night GuardsAt Downtown Dental Care, we also offer the option of an NTI night guard. The NTI (nociceptive trigeminal inhibition) night guard is a small device, custom created for your mouth, that is only worn over the top front two teeth, which prevents your upper and lower molars from making contact. It lessens the pressure of clenching by triggering the nerve that then causes the muscles to relax, aiding in putting an end to unconscious bruxism.When worn regularly, and kept in good condition, night guards can help to ease the extra pressure set upon your teeth by bruxism while you sleep. If you are tired of waking up with an achy jaw, facial muscle pain and headaches, give us a call at (503) 420-7600 and find out if a night guard is right for you. |